Thank you to ReneeFF for editing.
Chapter 9
The next morning during breakfast, I sit there and can't help but smile at Mom and Dad.
"He's great, right?"
Mom nods. "He's a fine young man, Rose, but that doesn't mean you should be in a relationship with him."
I feel like I can never win with them. That shuts me up and wipes the smile I've been wearing off my face.
Their attitude isn't going to stop me from being with him. He's who I want.
All the wedding events roll around quickly. Alice helps me with dressing, and Jake makes me feel like a princess. After the rehearsal dinner we have the whole night to ourselves, so we lock his bedroom door and stay snug under the covers.
Esme is sure she wants me here for everything leading up to the wedding and I am honored. Jasper and Alice have taken Mila for a few days so I don't have to worry about her.
Falling asleep in Jake's arms is more than I ever imagined it would be. I think I'm ready to let myself go tomorrow night. Esme and Carlisle will have left for their honeymoon by then, and I was definitely over all the shit that had happened with Emmett.
"I'm really happy," I whisper, not sure if he's asleep or not. His face is relaxed and he looks peaceful in the darkness.
When his lips curl into a small smile, I smile too. He tightens his arms around me. "Me, too."
The wedding was stunning, and it wasn't until the reception that everything went to shit.
When I spotted the devil that was Emmett it felt as though a black cloud had wrapped itself around my body. What the hell was he doing here?
It's obvious that he spotted me before I did him, because he doesn't look shocked at all when our eyes meet. Jake's busy talking to a few people when I excuse myself away from the group and meet Emmett on the balcony.
"Long time no see," he smiles.
"Yeah." It's the most I can say.
"How do you know the couple?"
"I'm... seeing the bride's son." I swallow. He's brought back every negative emotion with him, just when I thought I'd let it go.
His smile is amazed. "Never met him. My parents know Esme professionally." He explains, gesturing for us to venture further out onto the balcony.
I lean an elbow on the railing to help keep me steady. I'm probably white as a ghost.
"How's Mila?"
I expect him to say anything but that. He'd been so cruel since the minute he found out I was pregnant to when he left for college. We hadn't spoken in over two years.
My silence prompts him to speak again. "Don't I have the right to know how she is?"
"Of course you don't." I frown. What a stupid question.
"Well, if she is mine like you claim she is, I have a legal right."
My emotions have me so confused and furious I don't know what is the right thing to say. He'd accused me of sleeping with other guys and refused to believe she was his. He made my life hell in high school. "You have no rights." I hold onto the railing tighter because I can feel my hands shaking.
"Babe?" Jake's voice is faint but I look over and he's by my side in a second. He puts his arm around my waist and extends his right one to Emmett.
"Jacob Black."
"Emmett McCarty." He smiles then looks back at me. "You'll be getting a call from my lawyer soon, babe."
He walks back into the party and leaves me in Jake's arms. Jake takes me to a chair and kneels down in front of me, asking me to explain.
I feel like I can't breathe though. I'm beyond scared and just want to go and see Mila. All I can say is that I'm sorry.
He cups my face and makes me look at him. "Just breathe, okay? I'll be back in thirty seconds, just gonna grab you a water."
He's back quickly, for which I'm thankful. I don't want to be alone. I can't drink the water, I don't care about it.
"I'm sorry I'm ruining everything."
"You're not ruining anything. What are you talking about?"
"You should be in there."
"I'm right where I should be." He holds my hands in my lap. "Don't worry, all the wedding stuff is over with. Everyone's just mingling and they'll start to leave soon."
I look into his dark comforting eyes and nod. "Okay."
"Okay?" He smiles. "So just try to relax and tell me what happened. Was that Mila's father?"
I nod and squeeze my eyes shut because it feels like I'm going to cry. Hearing him ask that sounds so dirty. How could I ever have been with Emmett?
He sits with me, holds me, and calls Alice when I ask him too. I know it's stupid. Mila's with them and she's safe but I just need to hear it. I'm terrified of losing her.
"No one can take her from you, I promise." He assures me.
I nod. It may be a stupid fear Emmett's just put upon me, but it doesn't make me any less scared knowing that.
"I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. You're not alone."
I cry against his shoulder and he keeps me warm. He only leaves me alone for five minutes while he says goodbye to his mom then comes back and pulls me up. "Let's go home. They've left for their honeymoon."
